Location

Over the last few years, RSVP has been working toward the realization of a new building project. Its old location was positioned in the middle of the same industrial zone as the "Mechelse Veiling" facilities (a.k.a. Mechelen Auction). This location was much less conducive to RSVP's greenhouse and field research as it was originally. In addition, RSVP facilities occupy land that is much needed to fill the expansion needs of the Mechelen Auctions. Therefore, it was decided to relocate RSVP to a new site.

In 2007 April, we moved to the new location at the Duffelsesteenweg.
Because of this new experiment station, RSVP will remain a pioneer in horticultural research

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Greenhouses and headhouse

The greenhouse measures 6 meters high and covers an area of 10,520 m2. It is divided into 12, 720 m2 sections for growing tomato, pepper, cucumber, and lettuce. One section is designated as the nursery, while six others are reserved for applied research. There are two additional 240 m2 sections for studying leafy crops in a moving gutter system.

The headhouse is very long and wide and meets HACCP requirements including divisions separating wet from dry, dirty from clean and food from non-food materials. The basements are located under a corridor and together contain underground water storage built with regard for sustainable water use.

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Field trial plots

Four hectares are provided for Field Department experiments. This area is divided into 330 rows, each with a length of 75 meters. The field is built to drain completely and to deliver supplemental water via an overhead irrigation system.

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Offices

Research and administration offices are distributed across two floors, covering a combined area of 1480 m2. This area will contain offices as well as meeting rooms, a computer classroom, and different demonstration areas.

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Financing and contractors

This project is largely made possible due to financial support provided by the Flemish Government and the Province Antwerp, who pay 40% and 10% of the total investment cost, respectively. The remaining 50% of funding needed for this venture is provided by the horticultural sector itself, whereby the Mechelse Veilingen play an important role.

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